This week we lost a long time family friend and minister. Mike Nix at the young age of 55 went to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 25th. If you didn't have the pleasure of knowing Mike you missed out. From the attendance at his visitation and funeral (approx. 1400 at funeral) one could quickly tell he was an amazing man and had touched many lives. He truly lived a Christlike life daily and was there for everyone.
Mike has touched my life many times throughout the years especially in the past 10 years or so. He always had a hug to give and he always said "I love you girl". While I was in college at Freed-Hardeman University, Mike often visited the campus. He always made it a point to find me, give me a hug, and make sure all was well. He made everyone feel special. After college I went to China to teach and do mission work and Mike was always SO interested in my work there. He had a great love for missions and was always excited about what was going on in the many mission fields across the world. He talked my dad in to getting up and speaking at church about "Letting Your Child Go" which for those of you who know my dad, public speaking in front of large crowds is not one of his favorite things. But, who can say no to Mike and Dad did a great job from what I hear. Mike talked about that for months after and when I came home from China he was so excited telling me what a great job Dad did.
In 2009 Mike and Philip Hines married Mark and I. We wanted both of our preachers to be involved in our marriage and what a wonderful ceremony they performed. He made every wedding ceremony he performed personal. I remember in the middle of our marriage counseling he had an "idea" moment and some of the elders were meeting at the same time. He went and got them and had them come in to hear his idea of having older couples from the church mentor newlyweds. He then had them stay in the room with us and have a prayer for our upcoming marriage. Very special moment. In 2010 when we lost our baby and I was in the hospital for a few days. Mike visited everyday to talk and pray with us. That meant so much to us in our time of grief. He was always thinking of others and as many have said he always found a way to be in multiple places at once.
I could go on and on about ways my family and I have been touched by Mike from letters, phone calls, visits, meals together, etc. He and his family are very special and are always thinking of others first. His wife Mary Lynn and daughter Natalie are amazing examples of faith and trust and have probably touched just as many lives as Mike. Mary Lynn has a special place in the hearts of my family as she put me in my parent's arms for the first time when I was adopted. She is definitely the virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31. Even in her time of loss and grief she was interested in consoling others that were hurting in her husband's death. What a lady. When I talked to her at visitation and was telling her how sorry I was, that I loved her, and was praying for her, she was talking about how excited she was about our baby and how she couldn't wait for it to get here...WOW!
In our time of sadness here on earth there is great rejoicing in heaven and I know Mike is so happy! What motivation that is for us to join him one day! I will end with a couple of Mike quotes...
"Turn pain into possibilities, problems into projects, obstacles into opportunities, stumbling blocks into stepping stones, tragedies into triumphs, and harvest fruit from frustration. You don't have to be a victim because of your circumstances. You can be a victor in spite of your circumstances. God is not a pampering God, He is a perfecting God." -Mike Nix
"It only takes a moment to say hello, but a lifetime to say goodbye. We must say goodbye in order to meet again and we CAN BE certain we will meet again."
-Mike Nix
Until we meet again...
